Released while he was causing controversy with his misogynist lyrics and derogatory comments about transvestites, the
Saaab Stories EP is underground rapper
Action Bronson's major-label debut, but those expecting an intro will be disappointed. Produced exclusively by
Harry Fraud, the beats mix cloud rap and golden age boom bap to varying degrees, and while these busy and whirling constructions are quite attractive, they don't tend to push
Bronson out front. Add the word-filled and murky "72 Virgins" as an intro, with the weird "I'm a grown man, since I had a baby dick" dropped in the lyrics as his credo, and this seems like insider stuff already, but tolerate the lack of cohesion on the front half and this EP gives up the strange and solid party tunes toward the back. "The Rockers" with
Wiz Khalifa is a worthy stoner session with a "my money long, my weed strong, I ain't carin'" attitude. The whole EP is dude's night on a doo-doo level, and while that's always been a part of the whole
Bronson package, it's strange to emphasize it on his first major release. Fans who like him reckless should check it, but for the full picture, start elsewhere. ~ David Jeffries